Posts Tagged ‘cancer treatment’

Bringing Survivorship Tools Closer to Home – Winship at the Y(MCA)

July 30th, 2012 By Winship Cancer Institute

Most people are aware of the important role proper diet and exercise plays in disease prevention and management. At the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, we strongly recommend our patients maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and sustain a healthy diet both during and after cancer diagnosis. We encourage this not only so our patients can feel stronger and healthier during cancer treatment and return to a healthier life after treatment, but also because scientific evidence shows that proper diet and regular physical activity can help lower the chances of cancer coming back.

In fact, the American Cancer Society just released new guidelines on Nutrition and Exercise for cancer survivors. As most survivors know, life after cancer is not always easy, and returning to what was once considered “normal” prior to their cancer diagnosis does not always happen. At Winship, we consider all of our patients survivors from day one. To help them navigate their survivorship journey, our physicians and care team members are committed to making sure all survivors have easy access to the wide variety of support and programs available to them.

Recently, our team at Winship has teamed up with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to make another lifestyle and support resource available to our patients. Winship at the Y was established to provide cancer survivors with better access to specialized exercise programs. YMCA wellness coaches and staff will be trained by the team at Winship— including Winship’s nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers and dieticians—on the specific fitness and exercises needs of cancer survivors.

The program, which is unlike any other in the country, is open to any cancer survivor, not just patients at the Winship Cancer Institute. Joan Giblin, a family nurse practitioner and Director of Winship’s Survivorship Program, developed this program from her desire to provide easily accessible cancer support to survivors in their own communities.

To learn more about ‘Winship at the Y’, watch Joan talk with CBS Atlanta reporter Jennifer Mayerle in the video below:

“Winship at the Y” locations:

Cowart Family/Ashford Dunwoody YMCA
3692 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30319
770-451-9622

Decatur Family YMCA
1100 Clairemont Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-9622

Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA
3655 Preston Ridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30005
770-664-1220

Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead
1160 Moores Mill Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30327
404-350-9292

Summit Family YMCA
1765 East Highway 34
Newnan, GA 30265
770-254-9622

J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA
2985 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
770-963-1313

Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA
2220 Campbellton Road
Atlanta, GA 30311
404-523-9622

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We Are Winship – Survivors from Day One

July 23rd, 2012 By Winship Cancer Institute

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Update: Winship has been rated “Outstanding” by the National Cancer Institute in their NCI-designation renewal. Find out why >

As a cancer research, treatment and care center, there are lots of things that make who we are at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, what we do, and how we do it, special.

It’s been said that “once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” We know that our patients put a lot in the hands of the team on which they depend for their cancer treatment. Countless hours of research into the latest and greatest cancer treatment technologies, investigation into who offers those treatments, evaluation of NCI-cancer center designation, precious time and energy spent answering questions about what matters most, the patient experience, and perhaps most importantly, their hope.

Who will treat me? How will they treat me? Would other patients choose Winship for their cancer treatment if they had decision to make over again? Besides the treatment, what about the intangibles? Will my treatment team care about me? Do I even have a team? Who will give me hope?

Despite the wide variety of fears, questions, concerns and worries abound for newly diagnosed cancer patients, there is only one constant at Winship: every patient is a survivor from day one. New patient cases are evaluated by a team of multidisciplinary specialists who meet as a board to leverage their unique areas expertise in the collaboration and development of each patient’s individualized treatment strategy.

As Dr. Bassel El-Rayes puts it, “You may only see one or two physicians, but more than likely at least 13 have been involved in formulating your treatment plan.” And as one of our patients puts it, “This is when you realize that you have a team at Winship to help you fight this.”

If you or someone you know is up against the fight of his or her life, let our patients be the ones who tell you what it means to be cared and treated for at the Winship Cancer Institute. There are those who will tell you, “You feel like you’re part of a process that’s fighting cancer. If there is an answer out there, it’s in that building.” There are those who feel comforted by the members of our care team who themselves have won the fight against cancer and now volunteer their time to help others on their journey(s), “They’re people who have already walked through those halls. They’ve been in the shoes you’re in now.” There are those who will tell you about the confidence they have in treatment technology at Winship, or about the importance of elements such as our healing garden and the words of inspiration on our walls that help restore peace and build courage. There are those who will tell you about the support groups, monthly events, and educational resources to answer even the hardest questions. But most importantly, they will all tell you about their treatment team, or family, at Winship and how they made them feel.

We’re here to help provide the foundation for hope and strength in the fight against cancer, because as the saying goes, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” Find out how we support our patients in their journeys. Find out what it means to be a patient at Winship. Find out what it means to have hope as a survivor. Find out what it means to be a survivor from day one.

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Understanding Nutrition’s Role in Fighting Cancer

April 9th, 2012 By Emory Cancer Care

Nutrition's Role in Fighting CancerMaintaining a healthy diet is important, especially during cancer treatment. Your body is stressed– both from the treatment and cancer itself. It’s imperative to make sure that you’re getting the proper nutrition, vitamins, and minerals you need to stay strong and fight infections.

According to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Nutrition Guidelines, it’s best to eat a diet consisting of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and foods low in fat.

Omer Kucuk, MD and Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University says, “there are bioactive compounds in foods, particularly in fruits and vegetables. These bioactive compounds have potent anti-cancer activities; for example, broccoli contains indole 3 carbinol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer affects, especially in prostate cancer and breast cancer.”

While certain foods have been show to help prevent cancer, evidence also shows that specific food compounds, such as soy isoflavones and curcumin, can increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

“We have found that soy isoflavones enhanced the efficacy of cancer treatment, specifically the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition to that, soy isoflavones may also prevent the side effects of these two cancer treatments,” reports Dr. Kucuk. Soy isoflavones are plant-derived compounds with estrogen-like activity that may help protect against hormone-dependent cancers according to ACS. Get more information on soy isoflavones and how proper nutrition can help during cancer treatments.

More in-depth studies are currently underway to find which bioactive compounds in foods aid in cancer treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. The American Cancer Society reports “that a higher intake of vegetables may have a helpful effect on recurrence or survival for breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, but this is not definite.”

Still, ACS recommends that cancer survivors get at least five servings of colorful fruits and vegetables each day due to the overall benefit they provide. All cancer and cancer treatments affect the body differently. An individualized nutrition plan based on your likes and dislikes, and what your stomach can handle, is going to be beneficial during your treatment journey. A registered dietitian can help you and your family answer questions and address concerns about managing your diet, weight, treatment side effects, and supplement information.

If you’re looking for specific tips, ideas, and ways to incorporate cancer fighting foods into your diet, check out the transcript from our online live chat on Nutrition’s Role in Fighting Cancer. Also, check out Emory Healthcare’s recipe page for some easy, tasty and healthy dishes!

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An Intro to Pancreatic Cancer Part II: Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment

November 30th, 2011 By Emory Cancer Care

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

 

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Last week, we gave you an intro to Pancreatic Cancer, including statistics, information on the types of pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic cancer risk factors. As promised, this week, we’re following up with information on preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer of the pancreas.

Pancreatic Cancer Prevention

Much of the advice you’ll see for cancer prevention is similar across cancers. A few things you can do to help improve your health and fight off cancer, including pancreatic cancer, include: quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Diagnosing Cancer of the Pancreas

Diagnosing cancer of the pancreas can involve a variety of tests and assessments. As is true in any attempt to diagnose a medical condition, a thorough evaluation of a patient’s medical history, risk factors, and symptoms is conducted. Imaging tests, including CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound, and others may be used along with potential biopsies and blood tests.

Treating Cancer of the Pancreas

There are three main modes of treatment in combating pancreatic cancer:

  1. Surgery – Parts or the entire pancreas may be removed depending on the location and stage of the pancreatic cancer. The whipple procedure can be used when the cancer is in the head of the pancreas and involves the removal of the head of the pancreas and parts of the bile ducts, small intestine, and stomach; distal pancreatectomy removes the body and tail of the pancreas and the spleen; and total pancreatectomy removes the entire pancreas, part of the small intestine, a portion of the stomach, the common bile duct, the gallbladder, the spleen, and nearby lymph nodes.
  2. Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is medication delivered to the body to eliminate cancer cells or greatly reduce their effect. It targets cells that divide rapidly, a characteristic of most cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used to support and enhance other cancer treatment modalities.
  3. Radiation Therapy – Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses ionizing radiation energy to kill cancer cells and shrink cancerous tumors. Radiation therapy serves to either destroy cancerous cells or damage these cells to impede the division and growth of the cancer.

Physicians at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University specialize in these treatments, while researchers at Winship are exploring new and novel treatments for pancreatic cancer, including a number of clinical trials for pancreatic cancer treatment.

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Beating Breast & Prostate Cancer with the Help of 11 Alive News

October 5th, 2011 By Morgan Griffith

There are over 5 million people in the U.S. battling breast and prostate cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting American women. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the U.S. So how can we take action to help the 5 million+ already fighting a battle against breast or prostate cancer, and how do we increase awareness and healthy habits to help lower incidence rates in the future?

One of the most important steps we can take in the fight against cancer is education. That’s why we’re partnering with 11 Alive News to bring our community an informative special covering both breast and prostate cancer, including insights from our team at the Winship Cancer Institute on cancer screening, prevention, risk, diagnosis, treatment options, and survivorship.

Cutting Edge Cancer Treatment SpecialIf you didn’t already know it, as an Atlanta resident, you have Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute designated cancer center in your back yard. As such, the  And did you also know that the cancer research that’s produced at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is used not only to advance technology and treatment options for cancer patients, but also to serve as an educational foundation to help our community make smart decisions when it comes to their health? As a leading cancer institute its our goal to raise community awareness around cancer through education.

11 Alive will feature their special on beating breast and prostate cancer on Saturday, October 8th at 8:00pm EST. If you’re able to, we highly encourage you to check it out. We’ll be tweeting live during the special, so if you’re watching it, you can join the discussion with us and the 11 Alive crew as well! Simply use the hashtag #cuttingedgemed If there are any questions we can’t answer for you, we’ll get you answers from our doctors. If you have questions now, you’re more than welcome to leave them in the comments below, and we’ll get in touch with our doctors to get you answers. Hope to see you on Twitter on the 8th!

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Dietary Recommendations & Nutrition for Cancer Patients – Keep Your Body Strong During Cancer Treatment

August 30th, 2011 By Morgan Griffith & Tiffany Barrett, MS, RD, CSO, LD

dietary recommendations for cancer patientsMost of us know that fruits, veggies and whole grains are important parts of a healthy diet, but you may not know that people diagnosed with cancer have very different nutritional needs from the average adult. In fact, many cancer treatments can make it difficult for cancer patients to get enough nutrition, and, for some, can even make it difficult just to eat. Cancer patients, especially those undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, can combat some of the weakness and fatigue with nutrition that strengthens their health.

While cancer treatments are designed to obliterate cancerous cells, they also can kill off healthy cells in the process. As a result of this healthy cell damage, side effects, such as those that pose a barrier to eating, can present themselves. Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation and changes in a patient’s taste, smell and general appetite are not uncommon. While these symptoms can make it difficult or unappealing to eat, some cancer treatments also can result in changes inside the body that hinder the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients being consumed. Both the decline in ability or desire to eat, and the decline in the body’s ability to properly absorb food can add to the already ever-present sense of fatigue and weakness facing many cancer patients. So the question is, what can cancer patients do from a nutritional standpoint to support their body in beating the fight against cancer?

  • Start eating healthy before treatment starts - building strength prior to cancer treatment is key. It will help you build a foundation and do a better job of maintaining strength during treatment.
  • Eat extra protein and calories - cancer patients often need more calories, specifically, calories from protein than non-cancer patients. Higher protein levels help support your strength and aid in fighting fatigue and weakness.
  • Recognize patterns – you may notice as a cancer patient that your appetite is strongest, for example, in the mornings. If that’s the case, prioritize taking in more calories during that time.
  • Talk with a dietitian – most cancer treatment programs will (and should) include the opportunity for cancer patients to consult with a registered dietitian. Seek advice from your treatment team, including your doctors and nurses, and if available to you through your treatment plan, your dietitian. They can help make specific recommendations based on your body and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
  • Lots of liquids – whenever you’re able, take in as much healthy liquid as possible, especially water. Hydration is key to your body being able to perform at its optimal state and fight infection
  • Don’t make your immune system work any harder – some cancer treatment options can compromise the immune system of cancer patients and make it harder to fight off infection. Make sure to pay special attention to food handling, cooking and storing techniques. If you are a cancer patient, avoid buffets and buying food in bulk from bins that can increase the bacteria to which you are exposed. Similarly, stay away from unpasteurized liquids, raw fish and other foods and drinks that can expose you to increased and potentially harmful bacteria.

For more tips and nutrition information for cancer patients, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a great ebook, “Eating Hints,” that offers lots of information, ideas, and recommendations on how cancer patients can better cope with their disease through nutrition.

You also can learn more right here at home from Winship at Emory’s Nutrition Services program.

 

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Can Lung Cancer Mortality Be Reduced by 20%? Answer May Be ‘Yes’

June 30th, 2011 By Walter J. Curran Jr., MD

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD, Executive Director, Winship Cancer Institute

The report in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) this week that low-dose CT scanning of smokers reduced deaths from lung cancer is a major step forward in the cancer research world – and really, in the world at large, considering the high human and financial toll that this disease imposes.

Lung cancer remains the nation’s number one cancer killer, claiming more lives than the next three most common cancer killers — prostate, breast and colorectal cancers – combined. In the U.S. alone, over 157,000  people died from the disease in 2010. That’s more than 3,000 people per week.

One reason for this devastating toll is that no reliable screening test has existed to detect the disease in its early stages. Most cases are diagnosed only after symptoms appear. If   lung cancer could be diagnosed before symptoms appear, the cure rate should be much higher.

The article in the NEJM shows there is reason for hope. A study conducted at 33 cancer centers nationwide, including Winship, enrolled more than 53,000 people at high risk of developing lung cancer between August, 2002 and April, 2004. They were randomly assigned to receive either low-dose CT scanning or a chest X-ray as a means to detect lung cancer. Data were collected on the participants through 2009. The findings were significant. Deaths from lung cancer were reduced by 20 percent in the group who underwent the low-dose CT scans.

If we could reduce lung cancer mortality in the U.S. by 20 percent, we’d be saving 30,000 lives a year.

Even so, the findings published in NEJM may not result in an immediate change in CT scan screening guidelines for lung cancer. Screening guidelines of any kind require additional study and evaluation. Further analyses of this trial will also be required.

We have made tremendous strides in the treatment of lung cancer, but we also know that the real breakthroughs will happen when we are able to prevent its development or establish the earliest possible diagnosis. The dialogue on how best to implement low-dose CT scan screening for lung cancer should begin now.

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD
Executive Director, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Associate Vice President, Cancer, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Chair of Radiation Oncology

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Common Cancer Drugs in Short Supply

June 17th, 2011 By Walter J. Curran Jr., MD

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD, Executive Director, Winship Cancer Institute

Hundreds of common intravenous medications are in short supply, according to recent reports. 21 of these commonly used generic drugs in the reported shortage are used to treat cancer, which is obviously a concern for oncologists, cancer patients, and their families.  Although the 21 generic drugs represent only a fraction of the chemotherapy drugs available, the shortage is still very much a concern at Winship Cancer Institute and other cancer treatment centers across the country. Some of the drugs, such as cytarabine, doxorubicin and etoposide, are very commonly used in a number of cancers we treat frequently at Emory. The medication shortage has caused delays in patients across the country starting their cancer treatment and has required that treatment teams substitute medications used in treatment. This is less than ideal.

The reasons behind this medication shortage are complex. In November, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) held a meeting to discuss the drug shortages, and the American Society for Clinical Oncology was one of the sponsors. One of the cancer treatment medication shortage reasons cited is that some manufacturers have difficulty complying with Good Manufacturing Practices, principles relating to the safe manufacture of drugs and medical devices that is overseen by the FDA . This results in production stoppages or recalls. The group also noted that the FDA needs more authority to require generic drug makers to notify the agency six months in advance if it intends to stop making a drug.

Another reason for the shortage in cancer drug availability has to do with supply chain management. The efficient, cost-saving “just-in-time” method of delivering and acquiring goods in contemporary business – which means that a provider intentionally keeps inventory low to avoid costly warehousing and storage of products – may actually be contributing to the shortage. With all these factors (and more) at work, it’s surprising that these drug shortages don’t happen more often.

Winship has been fortunate to have very aggressive leadership from our pharmacy and treatment teams to help manage the shortage of generic cancer treatment medications. So far, through careful management and monitoring of patient needs, very few patients have been affected by treatment changes or delays.  Each week, a team meets to assess each patient’s treatment plan, drug inventory to meet those plans, and how to make sure Winship has the drugs it needs, when it needs them. “One of the biggest things we’re doing is to really plan treatment in the context of the drug shortages,” said Donald Harvey, PharmD, director of the Phase 1 clinical trials unit at Winship. “And we’re doing everything possible to obtain inventory, including borrowing from other hospitals if we need to.”

Dr. Harvey, who also is president of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, also recently met with representatives from Sen. (R-GA) Johnny Isakson’s staff to make sure that Sen. Isakson knows of the severity of the shortage. In years past, “It would be unheard of to have 21 anti-cancer drugs on short supply,” Dr. Harvey said as he discussed the shortage. Cancer drugs represent about 11 percent of the drugs in short supply, he told the Senator’s staff on April 27, asking for the Senator’s support for a bill introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bob Casey (D-PA) in February to help remedy the situation.

Our pharmacists and cancer treatment teams here at the Winship Cancer Institute are on top of this important issue, and I’ll keep you posted on updates that emerge. For more information on current drug shortages in general, visit: http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages/Current/ For more on the recent announcement around shortages in cancer drugs, check out this release from Reuters.

Walter J. Curran Jr., MD
Executive Director, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Associate Vice President, Cancer, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Chair of Radiation Oncology

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Why a Pap Smear Might Not Catch All Cervical Cancers

March 21st, 2011 By Morgan Griffith

Most women are familiar with the Pap smear, also known as the pap test. Most of us are also aware that the main goal of the Pap smear is to identify cancerous or abnormal cells that may turn into cancer after collecting them from the lining of the cervix. However, based on findings recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, Pap smears may not be the most reliable way to pinpoint cancer types that can often be harder to detect.

According to Kevin Ault, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Emory’s School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, the Pap smear is not always effective in the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Ault came to this conclusion after conducting a post-hoc analysis of Gardasil vaccine trials. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cervical cancer that begins significantly far up the cervical canal, an area that often is not sampled when a Pap smear is conducted.

Andenocarcinoma is the second most common type of cervical cancer, accounting for about 20 percent of all cervical cancer cases. While the overall incidence rate of cervical cancer is on the decline, Ault reports the proportion of andenocarcinoma cervical cancer is rising.

As the 8th most common type of cancer in American women, more than 12,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. Scientists believe that pre-invasive cervical cancer may develop over a period of months or years after the cervix is infected with the sexually transmitted HPV.

A leading expert and pioneer in the field of human papilloma virus (HPV), Ault suggests women might seek an HPV and Pap test at the same time. Why? A positive HPV test may be an indicator for early stages of adenocarcinoma cervical cancer that can’t be determined via a standard Pap test.

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High-Impact Donation Helps the Fight Against Breast Cancer

March 4th, 2011 By Emory Cancer Care

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory UniversityIf you’ve been following our cancer blog, you’ve probably seen some of our efforts to keep breast cancer awareness going not just in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but year round. The Winship Cancer Insitute of Emory University just received a truly generous gift that will make that fight, and the fight against breast cancer on the whole, a whole lot easier.

The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation has generously committed $5 million to the Winship Cancer Institute. The commitment will name the Glenn Family Breast Program at Winship, establishing a fund to support patient care, research, education and community outreach.

More than 200,000 women in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The gift bestowed upon Winship from the Glenn Foundation will allow the cancer treatment team at the Winship Cancer Institute to further advance results in the research and treatment of breast cancer.

Some of the initiatives in place to achieve this expansion of breast cancer research and treatment include:

  • A Strengthened Effort in Breast Cancer Biobanking: expand and strengthen breast cancer tumor banking efforts at the Winship Cancer Institute and leverage collaborations with the Avon Comprehensive Breast Center at Grady and Emory University Midtown Hospital.  This will make Winship’s breast cancer tissue bank among the most robust in the nation and will ensure full integration of patient outcomes.
  • High Risk Breast Cancer Care:  Building on its strength in assessing women at high risk for breast cancer or disease recurrence and its history of collaboration with other cancer centers, Winship will expand its multi-disciplinary approach to screen and care for more women.
  • Seed Grants:  Building on the success of the established Glenn Scholars program, these seed grants will support young investigators in their research in four critical areas: new therapeutics, early detection, health disparities and imaging.
  • Clinical Trials:  The Glenn Foundation grant will contribute to new clinical trials, including novel treatment trials such as those targeting women with high-risk breast cancer, such as triple negative disease and those women who currently lack access to quality breast health care and treatment.
  • Survivorship:  The gift will strengthen Winship’s survivorship program to include an online database to match patients and caregivers with trained peer partners who offer support and guidance throughout treatment.
  • Community Access:  Winship will build a stronger coordinated community outreach program to enhance access to cancer screening and early detection services throughout and beyond metro Atlanta.

We thank the Glenn Foundation for the very generous gift and look forward to seeing lots of great developments in the research and treatment of breast cancer from the Winship Cancer Institute.

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